Sectional bookcase.



No. 746,915. PATBNTED DBC. 15, 190s. vPMBAUGH@ SEGTIONAL BooKoAsE.

APPLIUTION FILED APRlO, 1902. N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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PATENTED DEG. 15, 1903. R.. BAUCH..

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SECTIONAL BOOKGASE. APPLIGATION FILED APR. 1o, 1902.

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N0. 746,915. IPA'ENTED DEC. l5, 1903.

R. MUCH.

SECTIONAL B'KASE.

APPLITION FILED APR. 10, 1902. No MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- end sectionswith the securing meansfor said UNITED ST-.f-wms Patented '.ecember 15,1903.

ROBERT BAucH. oF RocKFoRD, ILLiNoIs.

S'CTIONAL BOOKCASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 746,915, dated December15, 1903.

l Application filed April 10. 19.0.2. Serial No. 102,190. (No model.)

To all whom, it inlay concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT BAUCH, a citi; zen of the United States,residing at Rockford in the county ofWinnebago and StateofIlli-l nois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knockdown SectionalBookeases, of which the following is a specifica.

tion.

One of the objects of this invention is the production of a sectionalbookcase, certain of the sectional units of which case may be takenapart for shipment or storage.

A further object of this invention is the production of a means forholding the end pieces shelves.

A further object of this invention is the production of a means forpermitting the ready insertion or withdrawal of the door of anyV sectionfrom its position in said section.

A further object of this-invention is the production of a means forreti-acting the door when the same is opened and for. holding said doortightly shut whenit is closed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal Verticalsection through a bookcase made up of a base, a top. and threeintermediate knockdown sections. Fig. 2 is a transverse verticalsectional view through suchacase. Fig. 3 isa perspective viewillustrating the means employed for securing the end sections invertical series, also for securing in place the partitions or shelves.Fig. 4 is a plan View showing the rear side of a door for closing theforward side of one of the sectional units ofthe bookcase. Fig. 5 is anenlarged detail view showing in vertical section the joint between theend members of the case, the shelf being in dotted lines. Fig. 6 is asection on dotted line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a fragmental under sideView of the shelf. Fig. 8 is a side View of one of the guides for f thedoor of the bookcase. Fig. 9 is a fragmental View showing 'the means ofsecuring the retracting-spring to the back panel of each section. Fig.10. is a sectional view on dotted line 10 10 of Fig. 11, showing theposition of the spring when the door is closed. Fig. 11 isa transverseVertical section on dottedrline 11 11 of Fig. 10, showing the doorclosed. Fig. 12 is a similarv view showing the position of the partswhen the door is open. Figs. 13, 14, and 15 illustrate a modified meansfor securing the end pieces in vertical series and for supporting thepartitions or shelves, Fig. 13 representingatransverse vertical sectionthrough acase embodying said modified form of my invention, Fig. 14 alongitudinal vertical section on dotted line 14 14 of Fig. 13, and Fig.l5 in perspective the parts that meet to form the joint between the endsections of the units and the partitions or shelves between said units.

In the construction of a bookcase embodying my invention I provide abase-section A, comprising the front wall A, the end pieces A2, providednear their rear edges with the grooves A3 and the back panel A4, adaptedto lie within said grooves.

The top section B comprises affront B', end

pieces B2, having grooves B3 near their rear edges, a ,back panel B4lying within said grooves, anda top B5.

The 'intermediate or book sections C each comprise a shelf C', having adovetail C2 at each of its ends and a groove C3 near its rear edge onboth its upper and its lower face. On its lower side and at each endthereof it also has-a semicylindrical' pocket C4, extending transverselythrough the lower part of the dovetail G2. Each book-section furthercomprises a door O5, two end pieces C6, and a back panel G7. The two endpieces C6 have horizontalgrooves C8 for receiving rollers C9 and O10,upon which the door C5 is pivotally mounted,` and at their forward endsthe grooves CS are provided with pockets Cm, into which said rollersdrop when the door is in its vertical or normal position. To provide forthe ready removal of the door, the roller C9 is'rotatably mounted at thefree end of a -leaf-s ring@12 whichs ring is secured to one P e 1 P IOOmortise cut into the door-frame. The inner side of the door-frame isprovided with two hooks C13, forming the attaching means for` theretracting-spring, to be hereinafter described. Near their rear edgesthe end pieces C6 are grooved vertically to receive the back panel C7and at their bottom edges on their outer faces are provided with thecleat O14 to hide the joint between vertically-adjacent end pieces. itshorizontal sliding movement in the upper part of the bool section, Iprovide two guides C15, in this instance formed from wire, one of whichguides is secured to each end piece near the forward edge of said endpieces on its inner face and at a point directly beneath the groove C8.The point of the wire forming the guide C15 is driven into the body ofthe end piece C, and its looped end C16, elongated to act as a runner orshoe, enters the groove C17, formed in the inner face of the door-framenear each end of the door C5. The strip of material remaining above thegroove O8 is strengthened by driving the pins C18 kinto suitableopenings formed in the end pieces C6.

The joint between the end piece A2 of the base-section A and the endpiece C6 of the A book-section C and between the end pieces of thebook-section and the end piece B2 of the top section B is a modiliedtongue-and-groove connection. It comprises an upwardly-extending flangeD on the (relatively) lower end piece, and a groove D', formed betweentwo flanges D2 and D3 of the next higher end piece. The flange D2 restsupon a shoulderDi, formed on the lower member, and the lower end of theflange D3 is undercut to correspond with an undercut shoulder D5 nearthe upper edge of the lower member, said undercut flange and shoulderforming between them an unde rcut groove D6, adapted to receive thedovetail C2 at the end of the shelf C. Near the middle of the undercutshoulder D5, I insert into a suitable opening in the end piece a pin D7,the upper semicylindrical side of which pin is adapted to coincide withand lie within the pocket C4 in the under side of the shelf C, thepurpose of the pin and pocket being to hold the shelf C in its properposition. To aline the end pieces, a similar pin D8 is provided in thegroove D of the (relatively) upper end piece and a notch D9, formed inthe ange D of the adjacent lowerend piece.

A retracting-spring E, having eyes E' at its c vends and an offset bendE2near its middle, is

secured to the back panel C7 by means of the bracket E3. The eyes E areconnected with the hooks C13 by means of the flexible loops E4 of cordor other suitable material. The offset bend at the center of the springE .prevents it from endwise movementand holds it from turning. When thedoor is closed, the spring E is exed, and the tendency of said spring isto hold the door tightly shut, inasmuch as the hooks C13, forming theattach- To aid in guiding the door in ment between the door and thespring, are

below' the pivotal center of the door. When the door is raised intohorizontal position, the pull of the spring is directly parallel withthe grooves C8, in which the rollers C9 and C10,

upon which the door is mounted, are intended to run.

In the modification shown in Figs. 13, 14, and l5 the shelf F isprovided in its end with an undercut groove F to receive the dove tailrib F2 of a casting F3, the flanges F4 of Which casting are adapted tolie in the grooves F5 and F6 in the coinciding faces of adjacent endpieces.

In assembling the parts of this bookcase a shelf C is laid upon the baseA, end pieces C6 then put in place, a back panel C7 slid into thegrooves in the end pieces and the groove C3, and a shelf C put inposition. A second book-section is assembled when two more end piecesare set up, another back panel slid into the grooves in the end piecesand the groove C3, and another shelf added. The-case is thus erected tothe desired height, when the top B is put bodily in position. The doorsare hung by depressing the spring` C12, placing the supporting-rollersC9 and O10 at the ends of the door into the grooves C8 in the innerfaces of the end pieces C6, and releasing the spring O12. Theretractingspring E is then connected with the door by means of theflexible loops E4. The retracting-spring E holds the door normallytightly closed. When the door is raised into horizontal position, thespring slides it inward in the upper part of the section, the rollers C9and C10 traveling in the grooves C8 and the guide-shoes C16 in thegrooves C17 in the doorframe. The retracting-spring E pulls equally uponopposite ends of the door, thus moving it evenly and smoothly within thegrooves C8 and obviating a binding of said door within said groovescaused by one end of vthe door moving in advance of the other end. Whenthe door is being raised into a horizontal position, its rear edgestrikes against the guides C15, raising the rollers C9 and C10 from thepockets C11 at the forward end of the grooves C8. In ordinary use thedoor is not raised to its upper limit, and the rollers remain normallyin said pockets.

In packing my improved case for shipment or storage all parts except thebase A and the top B are separated into their elements and laid flat.The parts of the top and the base are fixed rigidly together.

It is clear that the lower shelf C might be formed rigid with the baseA, that the shelf C, which is placed upon the upper end of the uppermostend pieces C6, might be made a part of the top B, that the door C5 mightbe wholly omitted, that many changes in the form of joint betweenadjacent end pieces and between the end pieces and the base and the topmight be made, that modifications of the joint for connecting the shelfwith the IIO of construction might also be made without` departing fromthe scope and spirit of my invention, wherefore I wish to have itunderstood that I-do not intend to limit myself to the exact form andarrangement ot` parts herein shown and described, but consider theconstruction shown herein merely one of several that embody my saidinvention as fully as the form and arrangement herein set forth.

I claim as my inventionl. In asectional bookcase, in combination, asection comprising two end pieces; and a superposed section comprisingtwo end pieces, a shelf having dovetail ends,and a back panel, each ofsaid parts being freely separable from all the others, the end pieces ateach side of the bookcase being connected by a tongueand-groove joint,which joint also provides an undercut channel for receiving the dovetailends of said shelf.

2. In a sectional bookcase, in combination, a base; a top; and anintermediate section coinprisinga shelf having dovetail ends, two endpieces, a back panel, and a door, the end pieces being connected to thebase by means of a tongue-andgroove joint, said joint also providing anundercut channel for receiving the dovetail ends of said shelf.

3. In a sectional bookcase, in combination, a base having a tongueprojecting upwardly therefrom and two shoulders, one of which isundercut; and a book-section comprising two end pieces and a back panel,each of said end pieces having two tongues at one edge, one of saidtongues being undercut to form with said undercut shoulder an undercutgroove, and a shelf having a dovetail end adapted to lie within saidundercut groove.

4. In a sectional bookcase, in combination, a base; a top; a pluralityof intermediate sections, each of which sections comprises ashelt, twoend pieces and a back panel, each of said end pieces being provided atone edge with two tongues, one of which is undercut, and

at its opposite edgek with a single tongue and two shoulders, one ofwhich shoulders is uudercut,said base beingprovided with a tongue andtwo shoulders, one of which shoulders is undercut, and the top beingprovided with two tongues, one of which tongues is undercut; and anadditional shelf for the top of the uppermost section, all of saidshelves having dovetail ends.

5. In a sectional bookcase, in combination, a base; a top; a pluralityof intermediate sections, each ofwhich sections comprises ashelf, twoend pieces and a back panel, each of said end pieces being provided atone edge with two tongues, one of which is undercut, and at its oppositeedge with asingle tongue and two shoulders, one-of which shoulders isundercut, also at its rear edge with a groove for receivingsaid backpanel, said base being provided with a tongue and two shoulders, one ofwhich shoulders is undercut, and the top being provided with twotongues, one of which tongues is undercut; and au additional shelf forthe top ofthe uppermost section, all of said shelves having 4dovetailends and being provided with grooves on their rear edges on .both theirupper and their lowercfaces for the reception of said back panels.

6. In a bookcase, incombination, two end pieces, each having a groove onits inner side near its upper end; a door provided with rollers adaptedto move in said grooves, said door having a groove formed near each ofits ends on its inner face; and a guideshoe secured to each of said endpieces, adapted to enter the grooves in said door when said door ismoved into a horizontal position.

'7. A joint for two adjacent members of a knockdown sectionalbookcase,pwhich joint comprises a tongue on one of said members, and ashoulder formed on each side of said tongue, and a pair of tongues onthe other member forming between them a groove for the reception of saidfirst-mentioned tongue, one tongue of the pair of tongues being adaptedto rest upon one of said shoulders, and the other tongue and the othershoulder being undercut to form conjointly the side walls of an undercutgroove adapted to receive thedovetail ends of a shelf of the'case.

8. A joint for two adjacent side members of a knockdown sectionalbookcase and a shelf of said case, which joint comprises a rtongue onone of thefside members and va shoulder formed on each side of saidtongue, a pair of tongues on the other member forming between them agroove for the reception of said iirst-mentioned tongue, one tongue ofthe pairof tongues being adapted to rest upon one of said shoulders, andthe other tongue and the other shoulder being undercut to formconjointly the side walls of an undercut groove, the ends of said shelfbeing dovetail to enter said undercut groove.

9. A joint for two adjacent members of a knockdown sectional bookcase,which joint comprises a tongue on one of said members, said tonguehaving a notch near its middle portion and a shoulder formed on eachside of said tongue, and a pair of tongues on the other member formingbetween them a groove for the reception of said first mentioned tongue,one tongue of said pair of tongues being adapted to rest upon one ofsaid shoulders and the other tongue and the other shoulder being.undercut to form conjointly the side walls of an undercut groove, theends of said shelf being dovetail to enter said undercut groove, alsobeing provided wit'ha pocket, a pin insaid undercut shoulder forentering said pocket to hold the shelf in position with relation to theend pieces, and a pin extending between the two tongues of said pair oftongues adapted to enter the notch in saidv ICO single tongue to holdsaid end vpieces in Verof said leaf-spring; and a. similar rollerrotatical alinement. tably mounted ab the opposite end of said l0. Adoor for sectional bookcases, having door. a mortise-opening formed inone of itis ends; 5 a leaf-spring fixed to said door and extend-Witnesses:

ing over Said opening; a supporting-roller fol' C. J. LUNDBERG, thedoor, rotatably mounted at; the free end ALICE JACOBSON.

ROBERT BAUCH.

